RiteAid Couponing Trip

On Sunday, 7/31/2011, I hit up CVS and RiteAid early. Here are the deals I got at RiteAid. I did two different transactions to decrease my out of pocket expenses.

** For the Crest mouthwash, the ladies at my RiteAid are really spectacular and adjusted the price down to $3.99 because that's what their weekly ad said. However, their ad also said 4 Crest Mouthwashes for $20 (making them $5.00 each), which is how they rang up. Due to some human error, the cashier I had actually gave me a better price than $3.99 - for whatever reason, I got 4 for $3.09 each. This is why my total below doesn't appear to match the math. Also, the cashier warned me that the SCR might not go through, although she couldn't think of a reason why not based on the ad requirements. RiteAid messed up on their prices, so we win!

Transaction #1

Gillette Pro Glide Fusion Razor - Reg. Price $12.99
On sale $9.99 + buy 1, get $5.00 +Up (limit 2)
Bought 2
Used (2) $4.00 off 1 Gillette Pro Glide Fusion Razor (PG 7/31)
Paid: $11.98*
Saved (based on original prices): $14.00 (not incld. +Up)
(Incld. +Up, paid $0.99 ea - saved $24!)

At the Register: Paid $11.98, received $10.00 +Up towards future transactions.

Transaction #2

Oral B Power Toothbrush - Reg. Price $7.99
On sale $5.99 + Buy 1, receive $3.00 SCR
Bought 1
Used (1) $3.00 off 1 Oral B Power Toothbrush (PG 6/5, expired 7/31)
Paid: $2.99*
Saved: $5.00 (not incld. SCR)
(Incld. SCR, $0.01 moneymaker!)

Crest Pro-Health Mouth Rinse - Reg. Price $6.99
On sale $3.99 + buy 4, receive $10.00 SCR
Bought 4
Used (4) $2.00 off 1 Crest Mouth Rinse (large size) (PG 7/31)
Paid: $4.36 (cashier rang them up as $3.09 each, for some reason)*
Saved: $23.60 (not incld. SCR)
(Incld. SCR, $5.64 moneymaker!)

At the Register: Used $5.00 +Up from Transaction #1, paid $2.36 out of pocket.

TOTALS
Amount Paid: $14.33
Original Prices: $61.93
Saved: $47.60 (not incld. SCR, +Up)
76% saved
$5.00 +Up remaining for future transactions, $13.00 SCR submitted

*Not including tax. Tax = $3.07

CVS Couponing Trip

On Sunday, 7/31/2011, I woke up early and dragged my boyfriend to CVS, to get some deals before the products disappeared from the shelves. These deals are good through Saturday, 8/6/2011, so if you would like to try them out, there's plenty of time. I did two transactions, to limit the amount of money I had to spend out of pocket.

Transaction #1

Coke Zero Cherry (12 pack) - Reg. Price $5.99
On sale 4 for $13.00 ($3.25) + Buy 4, receive $3.00 EB
Bought 4
Paid: $13.00
Savings (based on original price): $10.96
$3.00 EB remaining towards future transactions
(Also paid $2.40 in bottle deposits, not reflected in prices/savings)
*** After all discounts, like getting 4 for $10!

Skinny Cow Single Crisp Candy - Reg. $1.19
On sale $0.99 each + Buy 1, receive $0.99 EB
Bought 2
Used (1) B1G1 Free Skinny Cow Single Crisp Candy (RP 7/31)
Paid: $0.99
Savings(based on original price): $1.39
$0.99 EB remaining towards future transactions
*** After all discounts, like getting 2 for FREE!

At the Register: Used $2.00 EB (from previous transaction, not listed on blog). Paid $11.99 out of pocket.*

Transaction #2

Skippy Peanut Butter - Reg. Price $3.79
On sale 3 for $5.00 ($1.67 each)
Bought 3 jars
Used (1) $1 off 2 jars of Skippy Peanut Butter (redplum.com coupon - no longer available)
Paid: $4.00 total
Savings (based on original price): $7.37

Gillette Pro Fusion Razor (battery) - Reg. Price $12.99
On sale for $9.99 + Buy 1, receive $5.00 EB (limit 1)
Bought 1
Used (1) $4.00 off 1 Gillette Pro Fusion Razor (battery) (PG 7/31)
Paid: $5.99
Savings (based on original price): $7.00
$5.00 EB remaining towards future transactions
*** After all discounts, like getting 1 for $0.99!

Dawn Dish Soap (small size) - Reg. Price $1.67
On sale for $0.99 each
Bought 4
Used (4) $0.50 off 1 Dawn Dish Liquid product (PG 7/31)
Paid: $1.96
Savings (based on original price): $4.72

At the Register: Used $0.99 EB and $3.00 EB from Transaction #1. Paid $7.96 out of pocket.*

TOTALS
Paid $19.95 our of pocket*
$5.00 EB remaining towards future transaction
Original Prices: $57.38
Saved: $37.43* (if include EB, saved $42.43)
65% savings

*Tax not included. Total Tax: $2.35

Goal

My goal for this blog is to show people real deals that can be had by couponing. I have been couponing now for two months, and have seen amazing savings. I'm hooked on couponing, and wouldn't change my ways, even if I won the lottery.

I'm not a mom. I'm not a housewife. I have a full time job. Not that there's anything wrong with being a mom or a housewife. (My absolute favorite coupon bloggers are just that!) I just want it to be known up front that I won't be covering deals for babies. And I hope to show that even if you work 40+ hours a week, you can still coupon.

I don't believe in getting a deal just for the sake of getting a deal. Now, give me something for free, and that might be a different story ... I'm generally not brand picky. I'll by any item by any manufacturer provided the deal is good.

I live in California. In my neck of the woods, there are no double or triple coupon deals. Therefore, I get 99% of my bargains at Walgreens, CVS, RiteAid and Target. Thankfully, I have multiple locations of each of these stores in my town.

My posts will focus on actual deals I have actually gotten. I will list the coupons I used and where to find them. I will also give commentary on my overall shopping experiences. In the end, I hope to have a blog that is helpful, simple, and portrays a realistic view of the amazing world of couponing! Enjoy!